Churachandpur, Nov 27 : There has been increasing instances of molestation and harassment of housewives through mobile phones by some migrant workers.

Police in Churachandpur district opened fire in the air on Tuesday night for over 100 rounds to disperse the unruly crowd who had stormed the station demanding the handing over of three persons accused of molesting and trying to rape a 19-year-old tribal girl.

The residents of the town had earlier overpowered and thrashed the three accused, two of whom happen to be migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh.

The two migrant workers identified as Nasir Mallick and Mohammad Terabir, both from Uttar Pradesh had come to the district along with a local contract man Mohammad Thoiba.

Mallick and Thoiba were alleged to have molested the girl inside a kitchen. She ran out screaming for help. Residents rushed out and overpowered all three of them.

They damaged the van in which the three persons came to the district. Besides other stove repairing equipments and spare parts were destroyed.

Police who rescued the three persons from the tribal villagers secreted them to another police station in the district. Later in the night the enraged tribals stormed the police station.

When they were told that the accused persons had been taken elsewhere the residents pelted stone and made preparations to torch the police station. Police fired several rounds in the air to disperse the residents.

Police say that the situation is fully under control but tense. Meanwhile a case has been registered against the three persons. Of late, there has been increasing instances of molestation and harassment of housewives through mobile phones by some migrant workers.